Bahrain set for AVC U18 battle

TDT | Manama

Email: mail@newsofbahrain.com

The pools have been confirmed for the 2026 AVC Boys’ U18 Volleyball Championship, with Bahrain set to compete among Asia’s brightest young talents when the tournament takes place in Haikou, China, from July 12 to 18.

The championship will serve as Asia’s qualifying event for the 2027 FIVB Boys’ U19 World Championship, with the top four teams earning places at the global tournament.

Organised by the Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC), the competition is the continent’s premier youth event for under-18 men’s national teams and has been held every two years since 1997.

Bahrain hosted the previous edition in 2024, where China emerged as champions. The upcoming tournament will mark the first time China has staged the competition.

A total of 14 editions have been contested, producing six different champions. Iran are the competition’s most successful nation with seven titles, followed by Japan with three. Chinese Taipei, South Korea, India and China have each lifted the trophy once.

Bahrain are still searching for their first continental title and will aim to make a strong impression as they continue their development at the youth level.